ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome， and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors， immune function， and the programmed death-1（PD-1）/programmed death-ligand 1 （PD-L1） signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted， enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table， with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment， while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy， COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale （mMRC）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， serum inflammatory factors， T lymphocyte subsets， and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% （33/42） in the control group and 95.35% （41/43） in the observation group， with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant （χ² = 5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline （P<0.01）. The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1）， and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α （MIP-1α） were significantly reduced in both groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with greater reductions in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. CD8⁺ levels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more significant improvements observed in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum PD-1 levels were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more pronounced changes in the observation group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors， improving immune function， and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Maxing Loushi decoction in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） with phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome， and to investigate its effects on inflammatory factors， immune function， and the programmed death-1（PD-1）/programmed death-ligand 1 （PD-L1） signaling pathway. MethodsA randomized controlled study was conducted， enrolling 90 hospitalized patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome in the Respiratory and Emergency Departments of Dongzhimen Hospital， Beijing University of Chinese Medicine， from April 2024 to December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group using a random number table， with 45 patients in each group. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment， while the observation group received additional Maxing Loushi decoction for 14 days. Clinical efficacy， COPD Assessment Test （CAT） score， modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale （mMRC）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， serum inflammatory factors， T lymphocyte subsets， and serum PD-1/PD-L1 levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsThe total clinical effective rate was 78.57% （33/42） in the control group and 95.35% （41/43） in the observation group， with the observation group showing significantly higher efficacy than that of the control group. The difference was statistically significant （χ² = 5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in CAT and mMRC scores （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significant increases in 6MWT compared to baseline （P<0.01）. The observation group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the control group in this regard. Levels of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1（MCP-1）， and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α （MIP-1α） were significantly reduced in both groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with greater reductions in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. CD8⁺ levels were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels were significantly increased in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more significant improvements observed in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum PD-1 levels were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and PD-L1 levels were increased significantly in both groups after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with more pronounced changes in the observation group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMaxing Loushi decoction demonstrates definite therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with AECOPD and phlegm turbidity obstructing lung syndrome. It contributes to reducing serum inflammatory factors， improving immune function， and regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the preoperative evaluation of carotid body tumor (CBT).Methods:The clinical data of 13 CBT patients undergoing contrast enhanced ultrasound test and surgical treatment at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Nov 2017 to Aug 2021 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 13 patients, 7 patients had bilateral lesions. 18 tumors were identified by contrast enhanced ultrasound, which showed rich blood supply, with marked enhancement in 13 tumors and moderate enhancement in 5 tumors. The origins of the arterial supply for tumors were identified by contrast enhanced ultrasound. Time-intensity curve analysis showed that the tumors had enhancement characteristics of fast wash in and slow wash out. The mean contrast wash in time was (3.33±1.40) s, the mean peak intensity was (10.41±1.74) dB, and the mean wash out time was (56.47±22.28) s. A total of 13 cases underwent successful surgical removal. Five cases of external carotid artery ligation and 2 cases of internal carotid artery reconstruction were performed during surgery. Postoperative transient neurological injury occurred in 5 cases. There were no cases of cerebral infarction or death in the perioperative period. Mean postoperative follow-up was 14.31 months. Five cases of neurological injury had satisfactory recovery and no other adverse events occurred.Conclusions:Contrast enhanced ultrasound is an effective method of preoperative imaging assessment for CBT, which helps the surgical planning and preoperative preparation.

Objective To explore the relationship between lipid metabolism and the risk of proliferative retinopathy(PDR)in patients with peripheral diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A total of 276 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)who visited our hospital from May 2022 to July 2023 were selected and divided into the simple T2DM group(n=164)and the combined DR(DR)group(n=112).The DR group was further divided into the non-proliferative retinopathy(NPDR)subgroup(n=58)and the PDR subgroup(n=54)based on the severity of DR.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between lipid metabolism indicators and PDR,and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of PDR.Results In the DR group,DM duration,the utilization rate of insulin(Ins),systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),fasting blood glucose(FPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),Leptin,TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),residual cholesterol(RC),serum creatinine(Scr),and serum uric acid(SUA)were higher than those in the T2DM group(P<0.05),while fasting C-peptide(FC-P),HDL-C and adiponectin(APN)were lower than those in the T2DM group(P<0.05).The levels of SBP,HbA1c,TC,TG,LDL-C,Leptin,TG/HDL-C,RC,Scr and SUA in the PDR subgroup were higher than those in the NPDR subgroup(P<0.05),while FC-P,HDL-C and APN were lower than those in the NPDR subgroup(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that PDR was positively correlated with the levels of TG/HDL,RC,and Leptin(r=0.331,0.264,0.358,P<0.05),and negatively correlated with APN(r=-0.174,P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that TG/HDL-C(OR 2.067,95%CI 1.827～2.643),RC(OR 1.538,95%CI 1.336～2.372),Leptin(OR 1.673,95%CI 1.361～2.474),APN(OR 0.674,95%CI 0.231～0.865),and FC-P(OR 0.147,95%CI 0.067～0.887)were the influencing factors for the progression of NPDR to PDR.Conclusions Lipid metabolism is closely related to the progression from DR to PDR.Clinically,lipid metabolism monitoring of DR patients should be done well to improve prognosis.

Objective To explore the impact of the interaction between fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and serum uric acid(SUA)on peripheral diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods Peripheral DR patients(n=188)admitted to our hospital from July 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects and divided into mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group(M-NPDR,n=114)and severe NPDR(S-NPDR,n=74)group.DM patients without diabetic retinopathy admitted to our hospital during the same period were set as the control(T2DM,n=100)group.The general data and biochemical indicators were compared among the three groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between FPG and SUA and the severity of DR.The interaction between FPG and SUA was evaluated.A nomogram model was established to predict the occurrence of severe NPDR.Results The DM duration,best corrected visual acuity converted to logarithm of minimum resolution angles(logMAR BCVA),FPG,SUA and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR)in M-NPDR and S-NPDR groups were higher than those in T2DM group(P＜0.05).Subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT),albumin(ALB)and free triiodothyronine(FT3)were lower than those in the T2DM group(P＜0.05).BUN in S-NPDR group was higher than that in T2DM group(P＜0.05).The DM duration,logMAR BCVA,FPG,TC,TG and SUA in S-NPDR group were higher than those in M-NPDR group(P＜0.05),and SFCT was lower than that in M-NPDR group(P＜0.05).SFCT,FPG,ALB,SUA,and(UACR)were independent influencing factors of severe NPDR(P＜0.05).The column chart model predicted the probability of severe NPDR occurrence,with area under curve of 0.919 and 0.910 before and after validation,and the average absolute error of the calibration curve 0.013,which can be used as risk tool to predict DR severity of T2DM patients.Conclusions FPG and SUA are risk factors affecting the severity of DR and there is an interaction.Early warning of risk factors based on the nomogram model is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients with peripheral DR.

Objective To explore the relationship between lipid metabolism and the risk of proliferative retinopathy(PDR)in patients with peripheral diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods A total of 276 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)who visited our hospital from May 2022 to July 2023 were selected and divided into the simple T2DM group(n=164)and the combined DR(DR)group(n=112).The DR group was further divided into the non-proliferative retinopathy(NPDR)subgroup(n=58)and the PDR subgroup(n=54)based on the severity of DR.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between lipid metabolism indicators and PDR,and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of PDR.Results In the DR group,DM duration,the utilization rate of insulin(Ins),systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),fasting blood glucose(FPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),Leptin,TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),residual cholesterol(RC),serum creatinine(Scr),and serum uric acid(SUA)were higher than those in the T2DM group(P<0.05),while fasting C-peptide(FC-P),HDL-C and adiponectin(APN)were lower than those in the T2DM group(P<0.05).The levels of SBP,HbA1c,TC,TG,LDL-C,Leptin,TG/HDL-C,RC,Scr and SUA in the PDR subgroup were higher than those in the NPDR subgroup(P<0.05),while FC-P,HDL-C and APN were lower than those in the NPDR subgroup(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that PDR was positively correlated with the levels of TG/HDL,RC,and Leptin(r=0.331,0.264,0.358,P<0.05),and negatively correlated with APN(r=-0.174,P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that TG/HDL-C(OR 2.067,95%CI 1.827～2.643),RC(OR 1.538,95%CI 1.336～2.372),Leptin(OR 1.673,95%CI 1.361～2.474),APN(OR 0.674,95%CI 0.231～0.865),and FC-P(OR 0.147,95%CI 0.067～0.887)were the influencing factors for the progression of NPDR to PDR.Conclusions Lipid metabolism is closely related to the progression from DR to PDR.Clinically,lipid metabolism monitoring of DR patients should be done well to improve prognosis.

Objective To explore the impact of the interaction between fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and serum uric acid(SUA)on peripheral diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods Peripheral DR patients(n=188)admitted to our hospital from July 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects and divided into mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group(M-NPDR,n=114)and severe NPDR(S-NPDR,n=74)group.DM patients without diabetic retinopathy admitted to our hospital during the same period were set as the control(T2DM,n=100)group.The general data and biochemical indicators were compared among the three groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between FPG and SUA and the severity of DR.The interaction between FPG and SUA was evaluated.A nomogram model was established to predict the occurrence of severe NPDR.Results The DM duration,best corrected visual acuity converted to logarithm of minimum resolution angles(logMAR BCVA),FPG,SUA and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR)in M-NPDR and S-NPDR groups were higher than those in T2DM group(P＜0.05).Subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT),albumin(ALB)and free triiodothyronine(FT3)were lower than those in the T2DM group(P＜0.05).BUN in S-NPDR group was higher than that in T2DM group(P＜0.05).The DM duration,logMAR BCVA,FPG,TC,TG and SUA in S-NPDR group were higher than those in M-NPDR group(P＜0.05),and SFCT was lower than that in M-NPDR group(P＜0.05).SFCT,FPG,ALB,SUA,and(UACR)were independent influencing factors of severe NPDR(P＜0.05).The column chart model predicted the probability of severe NPDR occurrence,with area under curve of 0.919 and 0.910 before and after validation,and the average absolute error of the calibration curve 0.013,which can be used as risk tool to predict DR severity of T2DM patients.Conclusions FPG and SUA are risk factors affecting the severity of DR and there is an interaction.Early warning of risk factors based on the nomogram model is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients with peripheral DR.

Objective:To explore the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the preoperative evaluation of carotid body tumor (CBT).Methods:The clinical data of 13 CBT patients undergoing contrast enhanced ultrasound test and surgical treatment at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Nov 2017 to Aug 2021 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 13 patients, 7 patients had bilateral lesions. 18 tumors were identified by contrast enhanced ultrasound, which showed rich blood supply, with marked enhancement in 13 tumors and moderate enhancement in 5 tumors. The origins of the arterial supply for tumors were identified by contrast enhanced ultrasound. Time-intensity curve analysis showed that the tumors had enhancement characteristics of fast wash in and slow wash out. The mean contrast wash in time was (3.33±1.40) s, the mean peak intensity was (10.41±1.74) dB, and the mean wash out time was (56.47±22.28) s. A total of 13 cases underwent successful surgical removal. Five cases of external carotid artery ligation and 2 cases of internal carotid artery reconstruction were performed during surgery. Postoperative transient neurological injury occurred in 5 cases. There were no cases of cerebral infarction or death in the perioperative period. Mean postoperative follow-up was 14.31 months. Five cases of neurological injury had satisfactory recovery and no other adverse events occurred.Conclusions:Contrast enhanced ultrasound is an effective method of preoperative imaging assessment for CBT, which helps the surgical planning and preoperative preparation.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal hematopoietic stem cell disease caused by abnormal expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) on the cell membrane due to mutations in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A(PIGA) gene. It is commonly characterized by intravascular hemolysis, repeated thrombosis, and bone marrow failure, as well as multiple systemic involvement symptoms such as renal dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, swallowing difficulties, chest pain, abdominal pain, and erectile dysfunction. Due to the rarity of PNH and its strong heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, multidisciplinary collaboration is often required for diagnosis and treatment. Peking Union Medical College Hospital, relying on the rare disease diagnosis and treatment platform, has invited multidisciplinary clinical experts to form a unified opinion on the diagnosis and treatment of PNH, and formulated the Expert Consensus of Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (2024), with the hope of promoting the standardization of PNH diagnosis and treatment.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(EDS)is a rare inherent connective tissue disorder.The prev-alence of EDS in the population is estimated at one out of ten thousand to one out of a hundred thousand.The vascular EDS(vEDS)are rare among the subtypes but are the worst in prognosis.The article reports a case of vEDS admitted to the hospital.The patient was a young man complaining of a sudden onset of aphasia in right hemiparalysis and severe left abdominal pain for unknown reasons.The diagnosis was made after the genetic testing.The patient suffered from vEDS.Then,the multi-disciplinary team(MDT)made a treatment plan tailored to this young patient.The complexity in classification and delusive presentations of the EDS make the correct diagnosis very challenging.This article hopes to report this case and to share the experiences to the bet-ter understanding of this disease.